Murder trial continues

The jury trial will continue today in the case of two of the defendants accused of murdering fifth-year graduate student Al-Moez Alimohamed. The prosecution, headed by Assistant District Attorney Roger King, will seek the death penalty for Anthony Archer, 17, who is charged with first degree murder. King is also seeking life in prison for Gregory Pennington, 17, who is charged with second degree murder. The prosecution will continue to present its side of the case throughout the week and will be calling more police witnesses to the stand, Mathematics Graduate Chairperson Wolfgang Ziller said last night. Ziller added that it is important for members of the University community to be present during the jury trial, as they can influence the outcome of the verdict. Director of Police Operations Maureen Rush agreed that support from University students is imperative during the jury trial. "The jurors will be looking out on both sides to see who is supporting the defense and the prosecution," she said. "They need to see that there are people other than the victim's family who are just as concerned and want to see justice served." Rush also added that the trial "hits home" for many students, since it concerns issues of off-campus safety, and that is it a very intricate trial for those students who are interested in law. "Students should also know that they don't have to spend all day in trial. And often it runs past five o'clock, when most students are out of class," she said. Students interesting in attending the trial today may take a University bus to the courtroom. The bus leaves at 9:30 a.m. in front of the David Rittenhouse Laboratory.